Multi-tool for Under $200

[acdagc]

Any recommendations on a multi-tool under $200? I saw a Fein 250Q Start Kit on Amazon for $199. Also looking at Porter Cable and Bosch. I have a $20 Harbor Freight but it keeps failing. The wires aren't attached to the motor brushes very well.

Thanks.

 

[acer66]

I just got the new 3.0 amp Bosch with blade quick change a couple of month ago and while it does not have the Feins made in Germany on it, it is an amazing tool to me, also I never used a Fein so I can not compare these two.
I thought the quick release is more of a gimmick but I would not get one w/o it anymore, makes it so easy.
One feature on the Bosch I also liked is that the cord mount at the tool swivels.
Can`t remember what the sale price was, might have been a tad over $200.
I do not like tools in bags because I take them to job sites and I think they are better protected and you can stack them more easy.

If I would be in the market right now I would buy the same model again but in the L-boxx but that makes it go quite over your budget.

 

[acdagc]

Thanks. I've seen the Bosch at Amazon for $169.

 

[bart1]

I was thinking a cordless one would be handy and I currently only have Milwaukee M12. Wonder if that would have enough juice for a multi tool?

 

[fury9]

I have a dremel multi max and a fein starter kit. From my experience the dremel is better at fine precise work and the fein is a brute but I find myself using the fein more.

 

[acer66]

I think at least the 12v Bosch version drains the regular battery in a little over 5min..

 

[RKA]

$200 is a pretty healthy budget. It should allow you to get your hands on pretty much anything in the marketplace including a fein. Things I would look for:

1. A cord. Cordless has it's conveniences, but for me, this isn't a tool I would use day in and day out, and when I do need it, I don't care to change batteries every 5 mins. Unlike a drill, this is a tool I will turn on and use continuosly for a few minutes to 20+ minutes if I'm sanding.

2. More than 2 degrees of oscillation. Almost all the offerings are 2 degrees. The Fein supercut goes to 4 (that's way outside your budget) and I think some of the recent offerings may go to 3. The question is do any of those still fit within the budget. Worth looking into. FWIW, it might be harder to control with the larger swing, but I think that depends a lot on the machine as well.

3. Quick release (tool less) blade change. Not only handy when you need a different blade, but also when you need to reposition the blade optimal access to your cut. I've used a HF model and the screw down clamp drove me nuts every time I need to reposition the blade and it absolutely infuriated me when it backed off.

4. Cost/quality/accessibility of consumables. This is probably a smaller point than the above, mostly because there are adapters and 3rd party sources for common things like cutting blades. Bosch blades are available in retail stores and most are pretty decent quality (swiss made), but they are kinda pricey. They make an adapter so you can use them on Fein MM's.

 

[acdagc]

Thanks for the advice. I also think the battery life would be pretty short as much heat as these things generate. I have Milwaukee M12 stuff and really like it, especially the Hackzall and impact driver. I'd be tempted to go with the battery if I had any confidence it would last a reasonable time. That said, I guess I have 6 batteries. I'm still leaning toward the Fein. Does anyone have any experience with how much vibration/noise/heat Fein puts out compared to the old HF model I'm replacing.
Thanks again.

 

[RKA]

I don't remember being put off by the noise/vibration on the HF tool I used. My point of reference is the Fein MM, which isn't particularly. Maybe the Fein was a little smoother, but it's hard to say because I didn't use them back to back. Heat...didn't use the HF long enough to notice. The Fein gets warm, but not so much that it's bothersome to me.

 

[rlitman]

2. More than 2 degrees of oscillation. Almost all the offerings are 2 degrees. The Fein supercut goes to 4 (that's way outside your budget) and I think some of the recent offerings may go to 3. The question is do any of those still fit within the budget. Worth looking into. FWIW, it might be harder to control with the larger swing, but I think that depends a lot on the machine as well.

The Fein Supercut is no harder to control than the MM. Fein's tools are as well balanced as a swiss watch.
The extra swing is compounded by around twice the power from the motor, which lets you make some serious cuts with it. I actually welded a carbide toothed sawzall demolition blade to the end of a burned out Fein cutter blade, and have made some cuts through concrete, metal lath, nails, and lumber that you just wouldn't think possible with one of these tools.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I bought a refurb Craftsman corded on eBay for about $60. The wife loves it for detail sanding. Use all Fein insert but is not fast change.

 

[cheechi]

I have a Craftsman 12v that gives me about 18 mins cutting plastic. I have two corded ones from HF that do a better job, and some of the blades are cross-compatible. I also have the air powered one from HF that is the main one I use in my own garage. If I were going to buy a battery powered one today I would buy the M12 version simply because the M12 tools are the best value for portability. It's similar enough to my Crafty that I'm pretty sure it would take Bosch blades with the adapter, though I haven't tried it to say for sure.

Personally, I would buy the tool that is compatible with the most blades rather than just 'the best tool' in this case. Here is a recent comparison of blades so you can make a better informed decision. Bosch has their adapter fairly accessible, it is slightly too far off to make it work with the HF tools.

Everyone will tell you the HF blades don't last as long as others. They can be cost effective though and do fit on a lot of tools. In my own experience, you can get roughly 2-3 HF blades worth of use out of a Bosch blade for the cutting blades. I haven't used the carbide blades enough to know, primarily I use mine for either sanding or cutting.

 

[mbatarga]

My understanding is the Porter Cable version accepts ONLY PC brand blades - at least right now anyway.

 

[buening]

I just got the new 3.0 amp Bosch with blade quick change a couple of month ago and while it does not have the Feins made in Germany on it, it is an amazing tool to me, also I never used a Fein so I can not compare these two.
I thought the quick release is more of a gimmick but I would not get one w/o it anymore, makes it so easy.
One feature on the Bosch I also liked is that the cord mount at the tool swivels.
Can`t remember what the sale price was, might have been a tad over $200.
I do not like tools in bags because I take them to job sites and I think they are better protected and you can stack them more easy.

If I would be in the market right now I would buy the same model again but in the L-boxx but that makes it go quite over your budget.

Same here. I got the MX30EK-21 (I think) at Lowes for $200 and it came with a free 6 piece blade kit. I think that deal is over now but am very happy with the tool.

 

[Monte]

 

[rlitman]

Personally, I would buy the tool that is compatible with the most blades rather than just 'the best tool' in this case. Here is a recent comparison of blades so you can make a better informed decision.

Nice comparison. I like the fact that they give an estimate based on cost per cut. Yes, it is no surprise that the Fein blade outlasted the others, but at several times the price, it is also no surprise that it's no great deal.

The Oshlun blade appears to be the same as the ones from Craftsman, and I have found those to be even cheaper than the HF blades (since the Craftsman usually come in 2-packs, and the HF's are packaged singly).
Note that the Oshlun lasted the least of the tested blades, and still was a winner in cost per cut.

For my part, I made my own generic adapter that fits my supertool. I can use any blade that has a 1/4" or larger hole in the center.

 

[acer66]

I wish I could spend that kind of money, makes me wonder if Festool will come up with one.

@ RKA, never thought about looking at the degrees of oscillation, next time I guess, the one I got the has 2.8mm.

@ buening, yup that`s the one I got, one other thing I forgot to mention is that this tool feels super sturdy.

 

[buening]

To me, the Bosch is on par or possibly a bit better than the Fein. The 3.0A Bosch version is more powerful than the 2.5A Fein which are at the same price point. The Bosch has a range of 8000-20000 opm vs the Fein's 10000-20000 opm, so you can dial down the Bosch a bit more than the Fein should you need to (not that 2000 opm is a dealbreaker). The only thing better with the Fein in my opinion is they are lighter weight (3.1 lb vs 3.7 lb) and they have a longer cord (16 ft vs. 12ft). I don't recall the Fein having a swivel cord at the tool either. Both have metal gear housings and both are extremely well made. To me its a matter of power vs weight on which one should choose.

 

[cheechi]

I just picked up the $199 HD Fein for $105 after tax. brand new but the bag wasn't closed. The price on the shelf was $129 and even cheaper at the register. It's not listed as an in-store item on their site (my store at least). I had a coupon but $109 before tax is still a great price for it.

Go get one. The tool-less blade change is great. I also found this site which seems to be selling blades similar to the 'fitzall' blades from the link I posed above but with better prices.

 

[gtrotter]

I picked up a Rockwell from Menards a month ago and I must say I am impressed. I have been using it with drywall and other assorted things. It just keeps on going. I bought it on sale for 65, honestly expecting it to be worn when I was done with my remodel. It was 1/2 the cost of the cordless model, and I don't have to worry about batteries. I just wish the cord was longer.

Here is a link to the one I bought.
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...crafter-reg-21-piece-kit/p-1474402-c-9082.htm

 

[ncfh]

I've never used one of these tools, but I'm thinking I want to add one to the arsenal...

Is the Supercut worth four times the price of the Multimaster or Bosch?

Will any of them be able to make cutouts in say 1/4" aluminum?

 

[RCStocker]

Bosch is by far the best. Thier tools are all great quality and in top three best brand.